Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by a lack of insulin production in the pancreas, whereas Type 2 diabetes is closely related to cell insensitivity to insulin. Both result in hyperglycemia; excessive amounts of glucose circulating in the blood. As insulin transports glucose into the cell for use as energy and storage, diabetes compromises access to essential nutrients. Many diabetes-related symptoms have been identified, including cardiovascular complications, neuropathy and renal malfunction. Type 1 diabetes affects 3.7 to 20 per 100,000 and accounts for 10% of all cases of diabetes diagnosed. Untreated Type 1 diabetes can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, which can be fatal.
Etiology
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that results in the permanent destruction of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. As a result, insufficient insulin is produced and hyperglycemia develops, as insulin is the single hormone responsible for glucose entry from the blood into cells. Although there are some indications for genetic susceptibility, a clear cause for Type 1 diabetes has not yet been identified.
Standard Care
Although several experimental treatment options are currently under investigation, Type 1 diabetes remains a chronic and debilitating disease that requires lifelong management, including diet and daily injection of exogenous insulin to replace the missing hormone.
ActoGeniX’s Solution
ActoGeniX is developing ActoBiotics™ that suppress the patient’s autoimmune response, which is the main cause for this disease.